Welcome to the new and improved Regulatory Action Center (RAC) Review! RAC proudly keeps you up to date on what we’re up to and what we’re keeping our eyes on here in the swamp. We offer resources for you to get involved in the rulemaking process to hold unelected bureaucrats accountable and occasionally offer praise in the event they have a good impulse. We will also highlight the incredible work our activists have done to advance the principles of smaller government, lower taxes, free markets, personal liberty, and the rule of law. For more ways to get involved and stay informed, check the links at the bottom of this post. Check back every other Thursday for the latest!

The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing recently, led by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) to further investigate the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granting Ligado Networks’ application to use spectrum. This was not the first attempt by Inhofe to sow misinformation on this issue, nor was it the last. Inhofe released a letter, co-signed by a number of other Senate colleagues, repeating some of the falsehoods echoed during the hearing and that the defense industry has been pushing.

The regulatory state is extensive. So many entrenched bureaucrats have a vested interest in making sure the red tape remains tightly wrapped around American families. They will do what they need to do to cling to power and hold on to their pensions that come at the expense of the American taxpayer. That is why anyone who dares try to shrink its size and influence will be viciously attacked by the political establishment.

The internet is seeing absolutely unprecedented web traffic during the social distancing necessitated by the coronavirus. It is becoming clear how important our telecommunications infrastructure is, especially in times of crisis. This is why we need our leaders to take action that will allow the private sector to thrive, grow, and innovate to meet the demands of an unpredictable world. The FCC’s latest actions fit that bill.

One of the most significant regulatory wins of the Trump administration came just a little over two years ago, when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) repealed stringent Title II regulations on the Internet. The repeal of the so-called “net neutrality” allowed the Internet to innovate and continue thriving with increased investment. However, the regulatory wins at FCC have not stopped there.

Although the costs of inaction on infrastructure will continue to mount, it is essential that Congress present smart, fiscally responsible solutions. Unfortunately for the American people, the recent proposal put forward by House Democrats dubbed the “Moving Forward Framework” is neither smart nor fiscally responsible. In the words of Reason’s Christian Britschgi, the plan from House Democrats is “heavy on funding ideas, but light on funding sources.”